VILLA players and supporters could be sporting a new club crest on their shirts next season after the new board announced radical plans to stamp their own mark on the club.

VILLA players and supporters could be sporting a new club crest on their shirts next season after the new board announced radical plans to stamp their own mark on the club.

The move was today warmly welcomed by fans who will have the final say on whether or not Villa change their club badge.

So far, supporters seem most keen to hark back to the club's glory days and revert to the small round badge, complete with the Villa lion, worn on the chests of the players who lifted the European Cup in 1982.

Other forward-thinkers say they would like to see the current shield design slightly modified to denote the new era of chairman and owner Randy Lerner.

Villa fan Dave Woodhall, of the fanzine Heroes and Villains, said supporters had inundated its website with views on the crest, with many favouring the 1980s design.

He said: "It is very pleasing to see that the new board seem sympathetic to Villa's traditions while at the same time looking at a new badge or crest to take the club forward.

"The round badge seems the popular choice from our own poll, complete with the lion first introduced by William McGregor from Scotland in the 1880s."

Season ticket holder Tony Fleming of Redditch said: "The badge means as much to the fans who wear it on their lapels as it does to the players and I think most would be happy to see a modification to denote the new dawn at the club.

"Personally, I like the current shield crest with the claret and blue background."

A Villa spokesman said today the discussions over the badge were just part of a series of consultations with fans on a wide number of issues due to the formation of a Supporter Consultation Group or SCG.

Chief executive Richard FitzGerald said: "This is a fresh start for Aston Villa and the chairman and board are keen to liaise with supporters on as many key decisions as possible.

"Now we want to hear from as many supporters as possible on this issue.